Immunofixation Electrophoresis

What is Immunofixation Electrophoresis test?

An immunofixation test is a laboratory assay used to identify and classify specific proteins, primarily immunoglobulins (antibodies), in a blood or urine sample. An immunofixation blood test measures the number and type of proteins in your blood.

A serum immunofixation test measures specific proteins in your blood. It helps to identify certain illnesses that are otherwise hard to detect, such as multiple myeloma, a blood cancer.

Why consider Immunofixation Electrophoresis test?

This test is most often used to help check for or monitor many different conditions that affect the amount of protein in the body. Some of these health conditions might be hard to find without having an immunofixation blood test.

This test is usually done to diagnose several different conditions, including:

• Multiple myeloma, a cancer of the white blood cells
• Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system (which fights germs)
• Leukemia, a blood cancer
• Kidney diseases
• Autoimmune diseases
• Liver diseases
• Neurological disorders
• Malnutrition or malabsorption, conditions in which your diet doesn't give enough nutrients

Who should get this Immunofixation Electrophoresis test?

• Individuals with suspected plasma cell or B‑cell disorders due to symptoms or lab clues: anemia, bone pain, recurrent infections, renal dysfunction/proteinuria, hypercalcemia, raised total protein/globulins, or abnormal SPEP (serum protein electrophoresis).
• Patients with known monoclonal gammopathies for baseline typing and ongoing monitoring alongside SPEP and serum free light chains.

More Information about Immunofixation Electrophoresis test

The immunofixation blood test uses a process called electrophoresis to separate the proteins into subgroups. The subgroups are based on their size, shape, and electrical charge. Measuring the number of proteins in each subgroup can help check for different health conditions.

Other Names: IFE, immunofixation electrophoresis, protein electrophoresis, serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), SPE, serum immunofixation